Cat Urinary Health and Hydration: Signs, Emergencies and How to Help Your Cat Drink More

Cats naturally drink very little, so many cats, especially those on dry food, produce concentrated urine that can irritate the bladder. Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) shows up as straining, frequent small wees, blood in the urine or toileting outside the tray. A male cat straining and passing no urine is an emergency. See a vet immediately.

Key takeaways

• A male cat straining with little or no urine may have a blocked urethra. A blockage can be fatal within 24–72 hours, so go to your vet or an emergency vet straight away, day or night.
• Cats evolved to get most of their water from prey, so many don't drink enough from a bowl.
• Stress, an indoor-only lifestyle, multi-cat tension and dry-only diets are common contributing factors.
• Wet food, water fountains and well-placed wide bowls are simple ways to increase water intake.
• Therapeutic urinary diets are prescribed by vets. Over-the-counter urinary maintenance foods are a different thing and are not a treatment.

Why do cats drink so little water?

Domestic cats descend from desert-dwelling wildcats that got most of their moisture from their prey. A mouse is roughly 70% water, and cats have a relatively weak thirst drive. A cat on wet food takes in most of its water with its meals. A cat on a dry-only diet, which is often around 10% moisture, needs to make up the difference at the water bowl, and many simply don't. The result can be smaller amounts of more concentrated urine. Your vet may find this concentrated urine helps crystals form and makes an inflamed bladder more uncomfortable.

What are the signs of FLUTD and cystitis in cats?

FLUTD is an umbrella term for problems with the bladder and urethra. In many cats no single cause is found, and this is called feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC). Other causes include crystals or stones, urethral plugs and, less commonly in young cats, infection. Watch for:

• Straining or squatting in the litter tray for a long time
• Frequent trips to the tray that produce only small clumps
• Crying out while urinating
• Pink, red or blood-tinged urine
• Weeing outside the tray, often on cool, smooth surfaces such as tiles, baths or sinks
• Excessive licking of the genital area

Why is a straining male cat an emergency?

Male cats have a long, narrow urethra that can become blocked by crystals, mucus plugs or inflammation. A blocked cat cannot empty its bladder. Toxins and potassium then build up in the blood and can affect the heart. Without treatment, a urethral obstruction can be fatal within 24–72 hours, and sometimes sooner. Owners often mistake straining for constipation, so look closely at what is actually coming out.

If your cat, especially a male cat, is straining and producing little or no urine, is vomiting, hiding, or seems lethargic or painful, take them to your vet or the nearest emergency vet immediately. Don't wait to see if it passes overnight. Female cats can also become blocked, though this is less common, and any cat with urinary signs should be checked promptly.

How do stress and indoor living affect urinary health?

Stress is widely recognised as a key trigger for idiopathic cystitis. Common triggers include a new pet or baby, moving house, renovations, conflict between cats sharing a home, a neighbourhood cat at the window, or a dirty or poorly placed litter tray. Indoor-only cats are safer in many ways, but they can be less active and more sensitive to changes in their territory.

Helpful steps include providing one litter tray per cat plus one extra, scooping daily, offering separate food, water and resting spots in multi-cat homes, and adding climbing spaces and daily play. Our guide on how often to change cat litter covers tray hygiene in more detail.

How can I get my cat to drink more water?

As a rough guide, cats need about 40–60 mL of water per kg of body weight per day from all sources, food included. Your vet can give a figure for your own cat. Small changes add up:

1. Add wet food. Wet food is typically around 75–80% moisture. Even replacing one dry meal a day with a pouch or tin makes a real difference. Browse our wet cat food range or read dry vs wet cat food for the pros and cons.
2. Try a water fountain. Many cats prefer moving, filtered water. Our automatic water fountains include the ADS Pet Wireless Stainless Steel Deep Water Fountain. Clean the fountain regularly and change filters on schedule.
3. Use wide, shallow bowls. Some cats dislike their whiskers touching the sides. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are easy to keep clean.
4. Place water away from food and litter. Cats often prefer water some distance from their food bowl, and well away from the tray. Put several water stations around the home.
5. Refresh water daily and add a splash of water to wet food if your cat accepts it.

For more on hydration, see our guide to automatic pet water fountains and how long a cat can survive without food or water.

Therapeutic urinary diets vs urinary maintenance foods: what's the difference?

These two are easy to confuse:

• Therapeutic (veterinary) urinary diets are prescribed and monitored by your vet. Some are designed to dissolve certain types of stones or manage diagnosed conditions. Use them only under veterinary direction, and don't switch away from one without asking your vet.
• Over-the-counter urinary maintenance foods are complete everyday diets formulated to support urinary health in healthy adult cats, for example through controlled mineral levels. They are not a treatment for an active urinary problem.

Urinary maintenance options in store include Royal Canin Urinary Care Dry Cat Food 4KG, Royal Canin Urinary Care Gravy Wet Cat Food Pouches and the Hill's Science Diet Urinary Hairball Control pouches in Chicken and Ocean Fish. If your cat has had a urinary episode, ask your vet which diet suits them before buying. Change foods gradually over 7–10 days, because sudden diet changes can themselves be a stressor.

Frequently asked questions

Is it an emergency if my cat is straining to pee?

Yes, if little or no urine is coming out, particularly in a male cat. A urethral blockage can be fatal within 24–72 hours. Take your cat to your vet or an emergency vet immediately.

How can I tell if my cat is constipated or blocked?

It can be hard to tell at home, because both look like straining. Check the litter for urine clumps. If you are unsure, treat it as a possible blockage and see a vet straight away.

Do water fountains really help cats drink more?

Many cats drink more from moving, filtered water, although not every cat takes to a fountain. Keep a normal bowl available while your cat gets used to it, and clean the fountain regularly.

Can I feed a urinary maintenance food instead of a prescription diet?

Not without your vet's advice. Over-the-counter urinary maintenance foods are for healthy cats. Therapeutic diets are used for diagnosed conditions and should be managed by your vet.

Does stress really cause cystitis in cats?

Stress is considered an important trigger for idiopathic cystitis. Reducing conflict, keeping routines stable and providing enough clean litter trays may help reduce flare-ups. Talk to your vet if signs recur.

If you would like help choosing wet food, a fountain or a urinary maintenance diet your vet has recommended, our team at ADS Pet Store, 39-47 Nelson St, Moorabbin, is happy to help. Call 0481 349 394. For any urinary symptoms, please see your vet first.

Sources

• Cornell Feline Health Center: Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
• International Cat Care: Urethral obstruction in cats
• International Cat Care: Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC)
• International Cat Care: How to encourage your cat to drink